Pick Up a Picnic for the Fourth

By
Julia Beizer

Okay, so the picnics I wrote about probably won't come in such an adorable basket. But hey, good takeout doesn't require fancy presentation. (Julia Ewan - The Washington Post)

The Fourth of July is a holiday made for picnics. If you plan on taking advantage of the day off on Friday and packing up your own, the Food section's got you covered with a slew of fried chicken and portable dessert recipes. But if you're feeling a little lazy before trekking off to the National Mall's fireworks display, the following nearby restaurants can hook you up with grub, to-go.

It seems pretty un-American to celebrate our country's independence at a French restaurant, but of many downtown restaurants, Cafe du Parc's offerings sound the most intriguing. From 5 to 9 p.m., the restaurant will serve a holiday-appropriate, to-go menu of grilled chicken, hamburgers, pork ribs and french fries from a grill on its patio. Crepes will be available as well. Prices range from $8 to $15. Diners with a little more time on their hands can reserve a table on the outdoor terrace and listen to the sounds of Jumpin' Jupiter.

Good Stuff Eatery is going the all-American route, serving its usual burgers, fries and milkshakes. The restaurant is planning to set up a shorter to-go line that offers a lunch bag with a burger, fries and a soft drink. You can't get a milkshake if you opt for the quicker line, but this is a good option for those coming in from the East.

Asia Nine is barbecueing, Asian-style. Picnickers can order a to-go box of either Thai BBQ Chicken or Laos Grilled Steak. The meal costs $20 and comes with a choice of two sides like papaya salad or bacon cheese fries. The restaurant will also offer specialty Independence Day-themed sushi rolls for $14 a piece.

Potenza just celebrated the opening of its 60-seat patio this week, and manager Tim Masterjohn says that diners who can snag a table out on 15th street can expect a glimpse of the fireworks once they get going. (Outdoor tables are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.) For those who want carryout, the restaurant's bakery will be open until 8 p.m. selling paninis, sandwiches, pastries and gelato.